More info required before I buy

[TVRTC]

Hi all,

Viewed a 1997 4.0L (facelifted model) today and am in need of some guidence please.

The chassis was remarkable, spotless, solid and well painted. The car had a body off rebuild in 2004 and has only done 3000 dry miles since. Overaul mileage is 43500, major mechanicals all good.
There are a couple of minor things I am not sure about though.
1. Is it normal for the exhaust to sound like its blowing at the front of the engine? somewhere around the massive Y piece.
2. Both headlight reflectors need replacing. How difficult are they to replace, and what about availability?
3. I ran the engine to get it hot and check oil pressure etc, then switched it off. About 15 minutes later the seller tried to start it to take it for roadtest but it didn't respond when the key was turned. Left it 10 mins and then started ok. Is this a regular problem or maybe the immobiliser?
4. During the test drive all seemed well apart from a knocking from the o/s rear,the odd rattle from the door and dashboard top, and a strange intermittent whistling from the engine. Again are these known problems that have simple fixes?
The guy is asking £8000 for the car. Because of the chassis condition I am tempted to overlook the minor problems I noticed. What do you guys think. I personally have no experience of Chimaera's and don't want to drop a b*****k on my first purchase.
Thanking you all in advance...........TC.

[dlewis]

1. No.

2. Easy to remove. Would expect replacements exist in either S/H or new.

3. Classic hot start or tempermental immobiliser.Probably the former.Can tell by metering it out.

4. It sounds as though it needs a look over by a TVR man/garage although rattles just need TLC.

Price sounds good for the condition but have you looked at younger, larger CC cars??
Dave

[TVRTC]

Hi dlewis, thanks for the reply. I've looked at a 450 and a 500. The 450 was good but chassis no where near as good as this one,and it was higher priced. The 500 I looked at was a 1995 for the same money and was a shed.

[Red V8]

1. No, they can suffer from manifold gasket problems, but this is more of a tapping noise.

3. Yes, they can be prone to suffer from hot start problems, but this can be fixed easily

4. O/S rear knocking could be a few things, bushes, anti roll bar drop links, or air bubbles in the shocks... air bubbles sound like a mechanical knock, but it gets better after you drive for 15 mins. engine whistling I'd be more concerned about... does it sound like an alternator bearing etc... rattles are par for the course, if you look under the dash there are loads of relays etc rattling around... I took the dash top off and stuck all mine down with velcro, made a massive difference

Chassis is the main thing,everything else can be fixed pretty easily.

Good luck with your search... 4.0 is still and excellent car, I've had one for 3 years

Edited by Red V8 on Sunday 14th September 21:33

[Johno]

Red V8 said:

3. Yes, they can be prone to suffer from hot start problems, but this can be fixed easily

It could be as simple as earthing, however, it could also be a £100 starter motor, don;t buy the cheap ones they fail even quicker . .

[TVRTC]

Viewing another one tomorrow.
Year 2000 4.5 litre which looks good in the photo's.
Hopefully it's as good in the flesh.
Will post the outcome after viewing.